Restless legs syndrome is a sleep disorder characterized by involuntary movements and discomfort in the feet and legs, which can occur shortly after bed or at night, interfering with the ability to sleep well.
Restless legs syndrome usually occurs after age 40 and is more common in women, although it can occur in people of all ages.In addition, episodes of the syndrome also appear to occur more frequently in people who lie down very tired.
- Restless legs syndrome is incurable.
- But your discomfort can be reduced with relaxation techniques or medications prescribed by your doctor.
People with restless legs syndrome often show signs and symptoms such as:
Symptoms appear to be more severe when the person is lying or sitting and tend to improve when the person gets up and walks a little.
Also, because the syndrome can also cause discomfort when sitting, it’s very common for people with this syndrome to move their legs while sitting during the day.
Diagnosis of restless leg syndrome is usually made by a general practitioner or doctor who specializes in sleep disorders.Although there is no test to confirm the diagnosis, your doctor usually distrusts the syndrome when evaluating symptoms.
The specific causes of the onset of restless legs syndrome are not yet known, however, it appears to be related to disorders in areas of the brain that are responsible for controlling muscle movements and dopamine neurotransmitters.
In addition, this syndrome also appears to be frequently accompanied by other changes such as iron deficiency, advanced kidney disease, excessive alcohol or drug use, neuropathy, or the use of certain types of medications, such as antinause, antidepressant or antiallergic.
Restless legs syndrome is even more common during pregnancy, especially during the last trimester, and disappears after the baby is born.
Treatment of restless legs syndrome is usually started with caution by eating to try to avoid consuming foods and beverages that can be stimulating and aggravate symptoms, such as coffee or alcohol, for example.
In addition, your doctor may also try to identify if there are other health changes that may contribute to worsening symptoms, such as anemia, diabetes, or thyroid changes, such as the onset of treatment for this condition, if any.
In the most severe cases, when the symptoms are very severe and prevent the person from sleeping, some remedies may be used such as:
In addition, opiates, which are very potent drugs commonly used for severe pain, but which can also reduce symptoms of restless leg syndrome, however, as they are extremely addictive and can cause various side effects, should only be used under the supervision of the doctor.